DALLAS — On Christmas Eve 2015 at about 3:45 pm, Arrestee Anthony Torres shot and killed 25-year-old Enrique Mendoza, shot and critically injured a Middle Eastern male and grazed three other victims at Omar’s Tire Shop at 3760 S. Buckner Boulevard.
Torres drove up and asked to use the air to fill a tire. He then demanded to speak to a particular employee who was not there. Employees recognized Torres as having been involved in a disturbance with an employee of the tire shop a week prior and warned the owner of the tire shop that Torres might be dangerous. Torres then walked back to his vehicle, drew a handgun from his waistband and began shooting at the victims and witnesses. As Torres was getting back into his vehicle, he was shot by the business owner. He fled the scene and was later located at Baylor Hospital and arrested.
During the course of the investigation, Detectives received information that Torres made comments and specifically used the word “Muslim” as he was shooting. At the time of the offense, none of the witnesses could put the use of the word “Muslim” into context. Upon researching the reported disturbance involving Torres that occurred the week before, detectives discovered body-cam video from patrol officers where Torres claimed that he was both Jewish and Christian and indicated that he had a bias against Muslims. The case is being involved as a Bias Crime.
Anthony Torres remains in the Dallas County Jail charged with 1 count of Murder and 1 count of Aggravated Assault.
